List of therapeutic words: Terms that can be helpful to know

The field of mental health counseling is vast, and research continues to expand our understanding of human thought, emotion, and behavior. People without formal training as a mental health professional may feel confused or overwhelmed by some of the terminology commonly used in this field. Sometimes, the language may appear so complex that a person who could benefit from mental health care may feel intimidated and decide not to seek treatment for fear of not fully understanding the process.

Develop a baseline knowledge of words and phrases commonly used in the mental health profession may be useful to current or potential therapy clients. If you receive mental health care, this knowledge may help you understand your own therapeutic process better. Even if you don't currently attend therapy, knowing more about mental health may help you support others in your life and further your own wellness journey. Keep reading to learn more about common terms used in the mental health field and how they may apply to your own therapeutic experience. 

1. Mental health 

We'll start with the basics: what does the term “mental health” itself refer to? According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), mental health refers to a person’s state of psychological, emotional, and social well-being. 

A person’s mental health can have a direct impact on their thoughts, feelings, mood, and behaviors. Mental health, just like physical health, can affect how we react to stress, how we process difficult feelings, how we interact with others, and how we make choices. 

A person can be mentally healthy overall and still encounter mental health challenges, just like a person who is generally physically healthy can still catch a cold or sprain their ankle. There are several short and long-term mental health concerns that can impact a person’s life, some of which may rise to the level of being classified as an illness or disorder. 

Having trouble with your mental health is not something you have control over, nor is it your fault. Just as we should not place blame or judgment on people with physical health problems, the same applies to mental health conditions. However, social stigma may remain around mental health concerns. Mental health disorders are not something a person chooses, and they are not a sign of personal weakness or an inherent character flaw. 

There are practices an individual can employ to maintain positive mental health, just like exercising or eating well can positively impact physical health. One such practice is meeting with a mental health professional such as a therapist. 

2. Therapy

The word “therapy” refers to the process of regularly meeting with a licensed professional trained to address mental health concerns. During a typical therapy session, the therapist and the client may discuss life challenges the client is experiencing, as well as symptoms of mental health conditions. 

You do not need to have an official mental illness diagnosis to go to therapy, though therapy can be a valuable treatment option if you do. In fact, therapy may be helpful for people experiencing all kinds of different situations including:

• Navigating conflicts with family members such as parents, siblings, or children
• Making desired improvements in your life, like improving communication skills, controlling your anger, or learning to practice mindfulness
• Talking through ideas for your future with an unbiased person
• Coping with the impact of traumatic experiences
• Undergoing a significant life transition, such as starting or ending a marriage, relocating, or making a career change
• Developing healthy coping skills and moving away from unhealthy coping skills
• Boosting self-confidence and self-esteem

Therapy can involve a range of therapeutic techniques. You and your therapist will likely work together to develop a treatment plan for your specific situation, drawing on your therapist’s foundational knowledge of the mental health field to deploy an evidence-based intervention. Your therapist may maintain progress notes as you two continue to meet and work on addressing your concerns so that you have a record of how your treatment has evolved and what outcomes you’ve seen. 

3. Diagnosis

A diagnosis can serve as a starting point for a course of therapeutic treatment. The word “diagnosis” refers to a professional assessment of a defined mental illness. Mental illnesses and disorders are described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, often abbreviated to the DSM-V or simply the DSM. The DSM includes detailed instructions on the thoughts, emotions, and behaviors associated with specific mental health conditions, and the threshold a person must meet to prompt an official diagnosis.

Receiving a mental health disorder diagnosis may seem intimidating, but it can also be empowering. Being officially diagnosed may create the opportunity for more insurance coverage, for example, as insurance sometimes cannot be used for therapy unless you have a record of a formal mental health disorder. 

It may be helpful to view a diagnosis as a lens through which you and your therapist can understand your specific mental health situation in more detail. A diagnosis may be beneficial for you and your therapist as you work to develop an appropriate treatment plan for your mental health needs.

4. Treatment plan

A treatment plan is based on the diagnosis a client receives. If the client does not meet the criteria for a mental illness diagnosis, then the treatment plan is based on the client’s stated goals and desires. What a treatment plan entails can depend on the reason a person is seeking mental health treatment. Usually, a treatment plan is a written document that follows a set format:

1. A description of the mental health condition generally and the symptoms the client would like to address, OR a description of the life challenges and concerns the client is seeking support for or wants to work through.
2. The specific therapeutic methods the therapist will use to address the mental health condition, symptoms, or life challenges.
3. A list of progress markers the therapist and client will use to assess the treatment plan and measure positive changes in the client’s life.

Expanding mental health knowledge

If you are curious about learning more mental health and therapy terms, it may be helpful to speak to a therapist. As discussed, therapists are not only for people who have a diagnosed mental illness — anyone can benefit from speaking with a mental health professional, since life changes and challenges are universal. 

In today’s busy world, it can be difficult to find time to attend in-person therapy appointments. Online therapy may be a beneficial alternative if you prefer to have therapy from the comfort of your own home. Online therapy platforms, such as BetterHelp, offer thousands of licensed therapists with different specialty areas, so you can find the right mental health professional for your specific situation and questions. Once you match with a therapist, you can meet with them from anywhere you have an internet connection and use phone calls, video chats, or in-app messaging to speak with them.

The efficacy of online therapy

Research has demonstrated that online therapy is just as effective as in-person therapy for addressing different mental health concerns. One study found that an online cognitive behavioral therapy intervention reduced symptoms of mental health conditions including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), bipolar disorder, mood disorders, phobias, and more. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most common approaches to mental health treatment. With CBT, individuals can learn how to identify their unhelpful thoughts and replace them with more positive thoughts. This can alter their behavior and lead to improved mental health.

Takeaway

When considering embarking on a course of mental health treatment, it can be helpful to understand the words and terminology often used by therapists and other mental health professionals. Knowledge can be empowering and may make you feel as though therapy is more reachable. If you want to expand your knowledge of mental health and wellness, online therapy could be a helpful resource for you. By connecting with a licensed therapist through a platform like BetterHelp, you can reach thousands of professionals who specialize in a variety of topic areas. As you receive support for your concerns, you can learn more about the field of therapy along the way.